Drivers License Restoration Attorney Michigan 

Michigan driver's license appeals follow strict evidence and documentation rules under the Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO). An experienced attorney can:

• Confirm your eligibility and required revocation period
• Help complete the Hearing Request Application (SOS-257) and Substance Use Evaluation (SOS-258) correctly
• Coordinate your 12-panel drug screen to meet OHAO requirements
• Strengthen and organize your support letters
• Prepare you for the hearing officer's detailed questions
• Present your case to meet the "clear and convincing evidence" standard
• Avoid common errors that often lead to denials

Because habitual offenders are presumed to have an alcohol problem, proper case preparation dramatically improves your chances of success.

The process is structured and evidence-driven. You can expect the following:

1. Eligibility determination
   • After two DUI/OWI convictions within 7 years or three within 10 years, your license is revoked, not suspended.
   • First revocation: minimum 1-year wait.
   • Second revocation within 7 years: minimum 5-year wait.
2. Gathering required documentation
   • SOS-257 (Hearing Request)
   • SOS-258 (Substance Use Evaluation)
   • 12-panel drug screen
   • Support letters confirming sobriety and lifestyle changes
   • Proof of treatment, counseling, and support groups
3. Submitting your evidence package to the Michigan Department of State.
4. Attending your OHAO hearing
   • Hearings are held via Microsoft Teams or in person.
   • The hearing officer will question you about your alcohol/drug history, treatment, daily routine, and long-term sobriety.
5. Receiving a decision
   • If approved, you may first receive a restricted license with ignition interlock, or full reinstatement depending on your history.
   • If denied, you usually must wait at least 1 year to reapply.

Michigan attorneys typically charge flat fees for license restoration cases. Published fee ranges from Michigan law firms show:

• $1,500--$5,000 for most standard license appeals
• $4,000--$7,000+ for complex cases or highly specialized firms
• Higher fees if additional hearings or prior denials must be addressed

Exact pricing varies by attorney, case history, and complexity.

Attorney fees depend on several factors:

• Number and severity of prior alcohol-related convictions
• Whether you have been denied before
• The amount of treatment history and documentation needed
• Whether witnesses or additional evidence is required
• The attorney's level of specialization in license-restoration law

Most Michigan firms use a flat-fee structure, and drivers should expect the total cost to fall within the low-to-mid-thousands depending on complexity.

Legally, no — you can represent yourself.

However, OHAO requires you to prove your case by clear and convincing evidence, which is a high burden. Many self-represented applicants are denied due to:

• Weak or inconsistent support letters
• Incomplete or incorrect Substance Use Evaluations
• Drug screen issues
• Testimony that does not match the written evidence

A lawyer is not mandatory, but having one significantly increases the likelihood of winning on the first attempt.

The "77-day rule" is commonly misunderstood. It applies to certain administrative hearings connected to recent arrests—such as implied-consent hearings when someone refuses a chemical test—not to typical revocation-based restoration appeals.

• For implied-consent cases, the hearing process is generally required to be completed within 77 days of the arrest.
• The law also states that a missed deadline cannot be used as grounds to dismiss a sanction.
• Driver's license restoration cases for revocations do not fall under the 77-day rule, and OHAO is not required to issue restoration decisions within 77 days.

This FAQ helps clarify a very common misconception among Michigan drivers.

This information reflects current Michigan law and Secretary of State procedures. It is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Individuals should consult a Michigan driver's license restoration attorney for guidance specific to their case.